🔗 Share this article

Virgil van Dijk has issued a blunt assessment of the club's disappointing championship campaign, admitting the title holders are in a mess and letting down manager Arne Slot while doubting whether all squad members is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk struggled to hold back his anger after Saturday’s heavy loss at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that saw the Reds in the lower section of the Premier League table with a deficit in goals. The club's chair was in attendance to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in recent outings, their eighth loss in 11 matches across every tournament, and a display that fell apart against a opponent that started the day in the relegation zone.

“Unacceptable” Start and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s opening after halftime as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave the visitors the lead. The first goal was the ninth goal Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we gave away a free-kick in the first half and a poor concession at the beginning after the break,” said the defender. “We are definitely letting him down, but we’ve let ourselves down as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you work together to escape of this crisis because at the present time it is a difficult situation – that’s just a fact.

Captain’s Challenge: Take Responsibility

The skipper typically addresses the press after a game as part of his role as team leader. This time was distinct, however. He spoke was more forceful – so loud that any teammate in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he expressed visible fury while challenging the dressing room to react. “You should be angry,” he insisted. “The key point for me is that everyone has to take responsibility.” When questioned whether that is happening, he answered: “I don’t know. But it's essential. That's crucial I want the players to do. It's challenging during difficult times but we must act if we want to get out of this.”

Squad Investment and Broader Issues

Liverpool invested almost £450m to strengthen a title-winning squad in the summer but have gone backwards, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain insisted that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for each player to be answerable on the pitch. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to improve collectively. If a teammate presses, you have to follow the press. These are fundamentals but it’s not happening enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

Van Dijk added: “This season we lack any steady form, we concede excessive scores, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I hope this is recognized. We have to take responsibility to reverse the situation and tempting to assign blame but you have to do it together. We have been through it together and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and not point fingers.

“Show character and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because surrendering is not an option then you are in the wrong environment in my view, because this club has been going through many adversity over those years and we’ve always come out of it. However, that doesn't imply it is easy, it’s exhausting but there is only one path forward.”

Next Fixtures

Next up in the Premier League is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of PSV in the European competition. He said: “The next game is another opportunity so how should I respond, go home and cry? No, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”